Would you mind sharing what bank this is? I would love to get Moneybags...er, I mean, DD10...to be more active about putting her little hoard into savings, and DH is dying to have an opportunity to teach her about compounding interest, LOL!

ETA: Never mind, I think I figured it out. It doesn't look like they do the 5% APR here, and there's a $5 monthly maintenance fee

Melissa, a homeschooling, To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.-guzzling, SAHM of two: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. and To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Well, I folded and went and had my hair cut. Dh came home early and gave me a two hour break which was really lovely of him. He has been working long, long hours lately and this was my first kid-free moment in a month. It was sweet of him. I could have done without the haircut, but he was so determined to give me a gift of time and pampering. I wish I loved the cut more, it is rather blah. It looks kind of frumpy and mom-ish. Or maybe, it is all of my grey hair that looks so frumpy! I don't notice the grey till I get a cut and then Hello!

No spend

Budgeted spend

Unbudgeted Spend

Do something frugal at home

January 1 -- lowered temperature on hot water heater

January 2 -- $10.50 food at airport soaked beans for dh and kids

January 3 --

January 4 --

January 5 --

January 6 -- $3 tea at airport

January 7 -- well baby check up soaking more beans for meals, lowered heat 2 degrees

Birthday shopping done. What is with the food bill this month? It looks like it's veering back into 4-digit territory by the end. And that's not counting the birthday bash.

Ugh!

Got $10 credit at the bookstore. Got away from the mechanic only spending $34. So what is up with the food spending? It's the snack-and-eat-out budget. Now I'm limiting the girls, it looks like it's the extra eating out and treats for dh and I. I wish he would stop putting his candy bars and donuts on the grocery receipts!

ETA: and I've been baking bread, making yogurt.... I found this amazingly inexpensive organic pepperjack..... what is up???

ETAA:....aaaaaand I've been buying and eating less meat!!!! Grrrrrr.........

"She is a mermaid, but approach her with caution. Her mind swims at a depth most would drown in."

My month begins on the 15th of every month as that's pay day and we are paid monthly.

Any day where I spent on groceries and still come under my monthly allowance of $1000 is counted as a no spend day. For me, our groceries are right up there with mortgage and bills in the "essential" category.

Birthday shopping done. What is with the food bill this month? It looks like it's veering back into 4-digit territory by the end. And that's not counting the birthday bash.

Right there with you. Our grocery budget has gone up and up in the past few months. I know why -- kids are getting bigger, I am nursing and eating like a horse, we eat every meal at home, and we have had to make some changes for my son's wheat intolerance. And it is crazy cold outside and we are all more hungry.

1. Not exactly how I wanted to start the year/ month, but all well. Another $200 spent at Home Depot for more shelving for my kids' rooms, $40 spent at the grocery store while we continue to wrap our head around the food allergies.

6. $75 at Home Depot. Shelves are working out so well in the kids' rooms, DH and I decided to put some in our room. Making split pea soup for after birth from a ham bone my mom saved.

7. Frugal accomplishments for today: started cutting out cloth wipes to sew for new baby, packed all our snacks and brought our water bottles to the 3hr meeting today that I had to take the kids w/ me to, cooked dinner at home even though I was exhausted after my meeting, including greens from our garden we have in a low tunnel, pulled out next size up clothes from storage for DD2 and DD3 (still need to go through DD3's drawers to pull out too small clothing, hopefully tomorrow)

8. $17 spent at grocery store for milk, pasta, and a jar of sauce (not frugal, I usually make my own sauce, but hey, we didn't eat out). Frugal accomplishments for today: went through DD3's clothes, separated all of the clothes I've pulled from the drawers the last few weeks and started a donation bag, raked half my front yard and moved the leaves into the garden beds, dug a trench and buried 5 gallons of kitchen scraps in one of the beds, brought our change to the coinstar machine and got an amazon gift card.

9. $6 on an amazon grocery order for soy free chocolate chips, sorghum flour, and chia seeds. Frugal accomplishments for today: used amazon gift card from yesterday for majority of amazon order, cut DS2's hair, ate all meals and snacks out of the pantry/ freezer

10. Planned food shopping list for Saturday, cut cloth wipes from upcycled flannel sheet and towels, DH picked up our bulk foods co-op order last night so I was able to make a loaf of gluten-free bread for lunch and muffins for breakfast, also eating dinner at home, started taxes, opened windows in house to get some fresh air in (we're in a warm streak), took the end of the loaf of bread I made and set it aside to make gluten free bread crumbs

11. DH made a pretty big purchase today. We put it on our CC and will pay it off next month b/c it was a last minute, completely unbudgeted purchase. Also bought some groceries. Frugal accomplishments for today: wintersowed 5 containers (3 onions and 2 broccoli) using seed starting soil from last year and jugs I've been saving.

12. Did our big, once-a-month grocery shop. Apparently I wasn't paying as close attention when I made my list b/c I ended up buying quite a bit of duplicates of things we didn't really need, though they can go in the stockpile now. We overspent our food budget by about $90, but I'm not sure how much of that is food cost increases, allergen free ingredients that are slightly more expensive, or a just a general need to increase the food budget that I don't want to come to terms with,.

13. Had to pick up mailing labels for a project for DD1's troop. It wasn't in the budget, but I told my co-leader I'd take care of it.

14. Pack meeting pot luck at scouts, except it was "Bring your fave pizza from your fave pizza place" night. Ugh, we can't have pizza now because of DS2's allergies, so I packed sandwiches on homemade gluten-free bread and made gluten free rice krispie treats for dessert. Picked up 50lbs of potatoes on the way home ($17).

15. Set aside pieces from yesterday's bread loaves to use for breadcrumbs, finished cutting out rest of the upcycled baby wipes (over 6 dozen total, we totally need them, the wipes I'm using now are falling apart & some are approaching 8yrs old) hopefully I'll get them serged up tonight, made sure the hose/ siphon for the birth pool was clean, also started a crockpot full of chicken stock from 2 frozen carcasses

16. Not going anywhere, no money should be spent. We haven't seen the sun in about a week, we've had 3 days of rain, and we're all going stir crazy in this house. Finished the 6 dozen cloth wipes, went through the wipe stash and pulled out the unusable ones, cut out the pieces to sew 2 wool pilot caps for the babe on the way

17. Didn't leave the house, "they" were calling for snow (we've gotten none). All meals eaten at home, DH worked from home so no gas usage, started sewing the wool pilot caps, started cutting some pocket inserts for DD3's Fuzzi Bunz (the ones we're using are falling apart).

18. $45 spent at Five Guys for dinner. Frugal things for the day: cut more pocket inserts for DD3's diapers, finished some leftovers for lunch, DH worked from home

19. $40 spent at grocery store, not budgeted. Going to try to work on serging pocket inserts and maybe some diapers for DD3. Will get 2 loaves of bread rising before bed for lunch tomorrow and hopefully gather supplies up to make soap, deodorant, and lotion bars tomorrow, too.

20. Ugh. $15 spent at store for new cheese grater, instant read thermometer, and a candy thermometer. DD3 is sick, so I haven't gotten much sewing or fabric cutting going. I *did* manage to make deodorant and our "boo boo lotion" yesterday. Went to the hardware store for lye, but they were already closed

21. DH spent $6 at Chik Fil A for ice cream for the boys (there was some scheduling confusion w/ scouts and it ended up being canceled. All the other parents took their kids to Chik Fil A for ice cream and playtime, DH felt like the boys would miss out if he didn't go), $18 spent at Lowe's fro more cinder blocks for our "overflow pantry" shelves that DH started setting up. Soap is made, no lotion bars though b/c I realized I think my mom has the rest of the stash I previously made, I'll get them from her so I don't waste precious supplies on excess lotion bars. Cut DS1 and DH's hair. Made dinner at home, getting ready to start 2 loaves of bread for lunch tomorrow.

22. DS2 had a follow up allergist appointment today. Breakfast was homemade muffins in the car on the way to the dr, lunch was sandwiches on homemade bread, dinner will be from the pantry and freezer. Cut the soap and set it out to cure. I'm not giving myself a Crafting Day yet, but I'm hoping to get some pocket dipe inserts done or maybe start knitting a pair of mittens for DD3.

23. I'm spending money in 30 minutes. We're getting take out. I have NO motivation to cook or even think about cooking. I'm tired, I have a headache, and I'm so incredibly cranky. I didn't get any crafting done last night, hopefully tonight I'll cast on for DD3's mittens, she desperately needs them.

24. No spending, no crafting, no baby, either.

15/ 20 No Spend Days

8/ 20 Crafting Days

DD1 has a dr appointment this morning, we'll bring snacks and water with us to hold the kids over til we can eat lunch at home. Dinner will be at home, too. DH is working from home today.

Would you mind sharing what bank this is? I would love to get Moneybags...er, I mean, DD10...to be more active about putting her little hoard into savings, and DH is dying to have an opportunity to teach her about compounding interest, LOL!

ETA: Never mind, I think I figured it out. It doesn't look like they do the 5% APR here, and there's a $5 monthly maintenance fee

It is not an online bank it is a local community bank, not likely to help you unless you live locally. No maintenance fees. Call around, you might find a bank in your area doing something similar!

Giving Love serves as a wonderful reminder that we already have an abundance of Love within, "it is in giving that we receive."

The DR Debt Snowball method has served us well! We have had many bumps in the road and hiccups along the way, we didn't give up using CC's all together & I just started reading DR's book this month!

17

18

19 Spent more than I should have on groceries, will limit to produce, and dairy for the rest of the month! Made a gallon of homemade yogurt for $3.50

20 DH bought a subscription to Ancestry.com last year with his Christmas money, It just auto renewed! $149

21

22

23 Brought change to the coin machine at my bank $17.42! Opened kids student bank accounts with 5% interest on up to $1000!

24. I did some reading on The Prudent Homemaker's blog & websiteI found this blog entry especially helpful! We do eat lots of produce though. I have spent $510 on food so far this month which is great I think (for a family of 4) but that doesn't include the teas & dried herbs, spices & household soaps that I bought from Frontier. I should add the edibles into the grocery amount. I tend to buy 1 lb of the dried herbs/spices that I use regularly. I just tallied my Frontier food items at $43.00 I wanted to keep groceries around $500 for Jan. The Frontier brings the grocery tally up to $553.06 and I still have to pick up raw milk tomorrow. I struggle with the grocery budget! Last weekend we stocked up on meat & bread (great sale). We have a good amount in our freezer for the next few weeks. Since I stock up on things when the prices are cheap, those items will continue to feed us into next month for sure! So hopefully it all averages out over the course of several months. I transferred $ to savings today! I'm on track to fund a Roth IRA for myself by April 15!

Giving Love serves as a wonderful reminder that we already have an abundance of Love within, "it is in giving that we receive."

I just made my Azure Standard order, and it looks better than last month. We needed everything last month, this month if everything comes in will be about $130, and that is groceries, household supplies and chicken pellets (for them to eat, not made of!) So, the 4 weeks of February will be a bit easier to hit our target. It could be our troubles this month stemmed from that huge order, because our weekly spending on food has been fairly reasonable, even with the over-spending on treats and eating out.

This month, I only have to purchase groceries for next Saturday's birthday meal. Monday is open swim. February I reserve our campsite at the beach. All other extra activities need to come out of our FUNfund. Other than that----

----no more spending.

No more spending.

No more spending.

I still need some things, but I can make due until April or May.

"She is a mermaid, but approach her with caution. Her mind swims at a depth most would drown in."

I made a realization this week. We're going to spend money. But my goal is to SPEND LESS. I'm trying and with being sick that really through us for a loop. But It's payday tomorrow and the amount of money left over in the account is INCREDIBLE! It will pay off another good chunk of our CC and LOC and my saving for our BEF is going awesome! So I'm actually really proud of us. Yes we could cut back more. But it's our first month and life still happens! I like my weekly totals as it's really helping me see where our money is going!

Jan 22: Had to go to a Dr's Appt 2.5 hours away and so we always do our "big" shopping at the same time (ie Costco and other stores we don't have here). Eat Out: $ 14.55, $15.75 and $8.37 Stuff: $33.57, $8.40, $10.50, $155.90, $19.73 Gas: $64.03

Jan 23: Going for a no spend day today! In fact I deposited my last couple weeks of babysitting cheques and withdrew the money straight to our cash BEF.

$94.97/$200 weekly grocery budget

$280.20/$?? weekly stuff budget$104.03/$?? weekly gas budget$72.95/$?? weekly eating out budget (would like this to be $50 a week to start, with a goal of $100 a month but that could be unrealistic)$27.89/$50 monthly dog budget

Jan 24: Amazing since it was payday ;) BUT they forgot 15 DOUBLE time hours on DH's paycheque so it was quite a bit less than we were expecting and it was already going to be smaller than usual. Luckily I had had *this* thread keeping me motivated before and we had saved so much money from his last paycheque that we'll be fine, but it still sucks as I had wanted to put what we had saved straight to the CC and LOC :( I did pay bills but those are the usual suspects I pay on payday and not in my no spend deelio!

Jan 25: I'll be buying groceries and I need to pay the license fee for the dog and I bought DD2 a great pair of second hand skates this morning. I'll update later when I know the totals of everything!

Child Passenger Safety Educator and Mom to three amazing daughters!!

Come check out MDC's To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

1. Not exactly how I wanted to start the year/ month, but all well. Another $200 spent at Home Depot for more shelving for my kids' rooms, $40 spent at the grocery store while we continue to wrap our head around the food allergies.

6. $75 at Home Depot. Shelves are working out so well in the kids' rooms, DH and I decided to put some in our room. Making split pea soup for after birth from a ham bone my mom saved.

7. Frugal accomplishments for today: started cutting out cloth wipes to sew for new baby, packed all our snacks and brought our water bottles to the 3hr meeting today that I had to take the kids w/ me to, cooked dinner at home even though I was exhausted after my meeting, including greens from our garden we have in a low tunnel, pulled out next size up clothes from storage for DD2 and DD3 (still need to go through DD3's drawers to pull out too small clothing, hopefully tomorrow)

8. $17 spent at grocery store for milk, pasta, and a jar of sauce (not frugal, I usually make my own sauce, but hey, we didn't eat out). Frugal accomplishments for today: went through DD3's clothes, separated all of the clothes I've pulled from the drawers the last few weeks and started a donation bag, raked half my front yard and moved the leaves into the garden beds, dug a trench and buried 5 gallons of kitchen scraps in one of the beds, brought our change to the coinstar machine and got an amazon gift card.

9. $6 on an amazon grocery order for soy free chocolate chips, sorghum flour, and chia seeds. Frugal accomplishments for today: used amazon gift card from yesterday for majority of amazon order, cut DS2's hair, ate all meals and snacks out of the pantry/ freezer

10. Planned food shopping list for Saturday, cut cloth wipes from upcycled flannel sheet and towels, DH picked up our bulk foods co-op order last night so I was able to make a loaf of gluten-free bread for lunch and muffins for breakfast, also eating dinner at home, started taxes, opened windows in house to get some fresh air in (we're in a warm streak), took the end of the loaf of bread I made and set it aside to make gluten free bread crumbs

11. DH made a pretty big purchase today. We put it on our CC and will pay it off next month b/c it was a last minute, completely unbudgeted purchase. Also bought some groceries. Frugal accomplishments for today: wintersowed 5 containers (3 onions and 2 broccoli) using seed starting soil from last year and jugs I've been saving.

12. Did our big, once-a-month grocery shop. Apparently I wasn't paying as close attention when I made my list b/c I ended up buying quite a bit of duplicates of things we didn't really need, though they can go in the stockpile now. We overspent our food budget by about $90, but I'm not sure how much of that is food cost increases, allergen free ingredients that are slightly more expensive, or a just a general need to increase the food budget that I don't want to come to terms with,.

13. Had to pick up mailing labels for a project for DD1's troop. It wasn't in the budget, but I told my co-leader I'd take care of it.

14. Pack meeting pot luck at scouts, except it was "Bring your fave pizza from your fave pizza place" night. Ugh, we can't have pizza now because of DS2's allergies, so I packed sandwiches on homemade gluten-free bread and made gluten free rice krispie treats for dessert. Picked up 50lbs of potatoes on the way home ($17).

15. Set aside pieces from yesterday's bread loaves to use for breadcrumbs, finished cutting out rest of the upcycled baby wipes (over 6 dozen total, we totally need them, the wipes I'm using now are falling apart & some are approaching 8yrs old) hopefully I'll get them serged up tonight, made sure the hose/ siphon for the birth pool was clean, also started a crockpot full of chicken stock from 2 frozen carcasses

16. Not going anywhere, no money should be spent. We haven't seen the sun in about a week, we've had 3 days of rain, and we're all going stir crazy in this house. Finished the 6 dozen cloth wipes, went through the wipe stash and pulled out the unusable ones, cut out the pieces to sew 2 wool pilot caps for the babe on the way

17. Didn't leave the house, "they" were calling for snow (we've gotten none). All meals eaten at home, DH worked from home so no gas usage, started sewing the wool pilot caps, started cutting some pocket inserts for DD3's Fuzzi Bunz (the ones we're using are falling apart).

18. $45 spent at Five Guys for dinner. Frugal things for the day: cut more pocket inserts for DD3's diapers, finished some leftovers for lunch, DH worked from home

19. $40 spent at grocery store, not budgeted. Going to try to work on serging pocket inserts and maybe some diapers for DD3. Will get 2 loaves of bread rising before bed for lunch tomorrow and hopefully gather supplies up to make soap, deodorant, and lotion bars tomorrow, too.

20. Ugh. $15 spent at store for new cheese grater, instant read thermometer, and a candy thermometer. DD3 is sick, so I haven't gotten much sewing or fabric cutting going. I *did* manage to make deodorant and our "boo boo lotion" yesterday. Went to the hardware store for lye, but they were already closed

21. DH spent $6 at Chik Fil A for ice cream for the boys (there was some scheduling confusion w/ scouts and it ended up being canceled. All the other parents took their kids to Chik Fil A for ice cream and playtime, DH felt like the boys would miss out if he didn't go), $18 spent at Lowe's fro more cinder blocks for our "overflow pantry" shelves that DH started setting up. Soap is made, no lotion bars though b/c I realized I think my mom has the rest of the stash I previously made, I'll get them from her so I don't waste precious supplies on excess lotion bars. Cut DS1 and DH's hair. Made dinner at home, getting ready to start 2 loaves of bread for lunch tomorrow.

22. DS2 had a follow up allergist appointment today. Breakfast was homemade muffins in the car on the way to the dr, lunch was sandwiches on homemade bread, dinner will be from the pantry and freezer. Cut the soap and set it out to cure. I'm not giving myself a Crafting Day yet, but I'm hoping to get some pocket dipe inserts done or maybe start knitting a pair of mittens for DD3.

23. I'm spending money in 30 minutes. We're getting take out. I have NO motivation to cook or even think about cooking. I'm tired, I have a headache, and I'm so incredibly cranky. I didn't get any crafting done last night, hopefully tonight I'll cast on for DD3's mittens, she desperately needs them.

24. No spending, no crafting, no baby, either.

25. Well, DH and I caved, we got McD's for lunch on the way home from DD1's dr appointment The kids were begging for it and we haven't had it in over 6wks b/c of DS2's wheat allergy diagnosis. It seems he can have wheat in small doses, so we'll be extra diligent in keeping it out of the diet for the next 6wks. Woohoo, I actually got DD3's mittens cast on and the first one is halfway done!!

Hi Jen - Not sure where you are, but it is snowing here and I have always heard that brings babies

Today is actually my oldest son's 13th birthday (he was born in a blizzard) and I will say is that it has thrown my spending off this weekend. We are usually VERY simple with birthdays, but this is a milestone so we are taking my parents, brother and sister inlaw out for sushi tonight (a reasonable place, but it will still add up). I got him a couple of nice, but not extravagant gifts (an Under Armour sweatshirt and a Alarm Clock stereo station to plug his ITouch into), but again it added up. He is having friends over tomorrow, but they are just watching a movie we got from the library (free) and eating pizza and a couple of things I am making so that is at least reasonable.

Ahh....well...you only become a teenager once and I paid cash for everything so I am going to let it go.

Crunchy*VT*Mom - I am impressed with your streak.

Delighted Butterfly - I like the idea of adding exercising in...I have been running and I feel like I spend less on days when I run.

Delighted Butterfly - I like the idea of adding exercising in...I have been running and I feel like I spend less on days when I run.

Happy Birthday to your son and Happy Birthing Day to you mama!

It's part of my healthy budget/healthy body goal for the year. I'm not doing too well with it. Being sick really threw things for a loop and now I'm in this really weird slump that I'm trying to kick myself out of!

It's slowly starting to warm up some days here in the frozen North so I need to try and go for walks outside on days I'm not motivated to go to the walking track!

Child Passenger Safety Educator and Mom to three amazing daughters!!

Come check out MDC's To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Staying home this weekend. Finally! I get 3 no-spend days in a row! I might get motivated to add in my dude-icons again, but I think they're out until February. I just don't feel all that positive still.

"She is a mermaid, but approach her with caution. Her mind swims at a depth most would drown in."

1. Not exactly how I wanted to start the year/ month, but all well. Another $200 spent at Home Depot for more shelving for my kids' rooms, $40 spent at the grocery store while we continue to wrap our head around the food allergies.

6. $75 at Home Depot. Shelves are working out so well in the kids' rooms, DH and I decided to put some in our room. Making split pea soup for after birth from a ham bone my mom saved.

7. Frugal accomplishments for today: started cutting out cloth wipes to sew for new baby, packed all our snacks and brought our water bottles to the 3hr meeting today that I had to take the kids w/ me to, cooked dinner at home even though I was exhausted after my meeting, including greens from our garden we have in a low tunnel, pulled out next size up clothes from storage for DD2 and DD3 (still need to go through DD3's drawers to pull out too small clothing, hopefully tomorrow)

8. $17 spent at grocery store for milk, pasta, and a jar of sauce (not frugal, I usually make my own sauce, but hey, we didn't eat out). Frugal accomplishments for today: went through DD3's clothes, separated all of the clothes I've pulled from the drawers the last few weeks and started a donation bag, raked half my front yard and moved the leaves into the garden beds, dug a trench and buried 5 gallons of kitchen scraps in one of the beds, brought our change to the coinstar machine and got an amazon gift card.

9. $6 on an amazon grocery order for soy free chocolate chips, sorghum flour, and chia seeds. Frugal accomplishments for today: used amazon gift card from yesterday for majority of amazon order, cut DS2's hair, ate all meals and snacks out of the pantry/ freezer

10. Planned food shopping list for Saturday, cut cloth wipes from upcycled flannel sheet and towels, DH picked up our bulk foods co-op order last night so I was able to make a loaf of gluten-free bread for lunch and muffins for breakfast, also eating dinner at home, started taxes, opened windows in house to get some fresh air in (we're in a warm streak), took the end of the loaf of bread I made and set it aside to make gluten free bread crumbs

11. DH made a pretty big purchase today. We put it on our CC and will pay it off next month b/c it was a last minute, completely unbudgeted purchase. Also bought some groceries. Frugal accomplishments for today: wintersowed 5 containers (3 onions and 2 broccoli) using seed starting soil from last year and jugs I've been saving.

12. Did our big, once-a-month grocery shop. Apparently I wasn't paying as close attention when I made my list b/c I ended up buying quite a bit of duplicates of things we didn't really need, though they can go in the stockpile now. We overspent our food budget by about $90, but I'm not sure how much of that is food cost increases, allergen free ingredients that are slightly more expensive, or a just a general need to increase the food budget that I don't want to come to terms with,.

13. Had to pick up mailing labels for a project for DD1's troop. It wasn't in the budget, but I told my co-leader I'd take care of it.

14. Pack meeting pot luck at scouts, except it was "Bring your fave pizza from your fave pizza place" night. Ugh, we can't have pizza now because of DS2's allergies, so I packed sandwiches on homemade gluten-free bread and made gluten free rice krispie treats for dessert. Picked up 50lbs of potatoes on the way home ($17).

15. Set aside pieces from yesterday's bread loaves to use for breadcrumbs, finished cutting out rest of the upcycled baby wipes (over 6 dozen total, we totally need them, the wipes I'm using now are falling apart & some are approaching 8yrs old) hopefully I'll get them serged up tonight, made sure the hose/ siphon for the birth pool was clean, also started a crockpot full of chicken stock from 2 frozen carcasses

16. Not going anywhere, no money should be spent. We haven't seen the sun in about a week, we've had 3 days of rain, and we're all going stir crazy in this house. Finished the 6 dozen cloth wipes, went through the wipe stash and pulled out the unusable ones, cut out the pieces to sew 2 wool pilot caps for the babe on the way

17. Didn't leave the house, "they" were calling for snow (we've gotten none). All meals eaten at home, DH worked from home so no gas usage, started sewing the wool pilot caps, started cutting some pocket inserts for DD3's Fuzzi Bunz (the ones we're using are falling apart).

18. $45 spent at Five Guys for dinner. Frugal things for the day: cut more pocket inserts for DD3's diapers, finished some leftovers for lunch, DH worked from home

19. $40 spent at grocery store, not budgeted. Going to try to work on serging pocket inserts and maybe some diapers for DD3. Will get 2 loaves of bread rising before bed for lunch tomorrow and hopefully gather supplies up to make soap, deodorant, and lotion bars tomorrow, too.

20. Ugh. $15 spent at store for new cheese grater, instant read thermometer, and a candy thermometer. DD3 is sick, so I haven't gotten much sewing or fabric cutting going. I *did* manage to make deodorant and our "boo boo lotion" yesterday. Went to the hardware store for lye, but they were already closed

21. DH spent $6 at Chik Fil A for ice cream for the boys (there was some scheduling confusion w/ scouts and it ended up being canceled. All the other parents took their kids to Chik Fil A for ice cream and playtime, DH felt like the boys would miss out if he didn't go), $18 spent at Lowe's fro more cinder blocks for our "overflow pantry" shelves that DH started setting up. Soap is made, no lotion bars though b/c I realized I think my mom has the rest of the stash I previously made, I'll get them from her so I don't waste precious supplies on excess lotion bars. Cut DS1 and DH's hair. Made dinner at home, getting ready to start 2 loaves of bread for lunch tomorrow.

22. DS2 had a follow up allergist appointment today. Breakfast was homemade muffins in the car on the way to the dr, lunch was sandwiches on homemade bread, dinner will be from the pantry and freezer. Cut the soap and set it out to cure. I'm not giving myself a Crafting Day yet, but I'm hoping to get some pocket dipe inserts done or maybe start knitting a pair of mittens for DD3.

23. I'm spending money in 30 minutes. We're getting take out. I have NO motivation to cook or even think about cooking. I'm tired, I have a headache, and I'm so incredibly cranky. I didn't get any crafting done last night, hopefully tonight I'll cast on for DD3's mittens, she desperately needs them.

24. No spending, no crafting, no baby, either.

25. Well, DH and I caved, we got McD's for lunch on the way home from DD1's dr appointment The kids were begging for it and we haven't had it in over 6wks b/c of DS2's wheat allergy diagnosis. It seems he can have wheat in small doses, so we'll be extra diligent in keeping it out of the diet for the next 6wks. Woohoo, I actually got DD3's mittens cast on and the first one is halfway done!!

26. Another Spend Day. *sigh* Went to Costco to pick up DH's new glasses, spent $38 on groceries. Went to WM and spent $45 on more groceries, 2 $5 movies, and a fitted sheet to put over our boxspring b/c my kids keep ripping the dust ruffle when they climb on my bed. I finished DD3's pocket inserts AND her mittens

15/ 20 No Spend Days

10/ 20 Crafting Days

If I can finish out the next 5 days with No Spends, I will make my goal.

December 28: Paid rent, electric, water, adt, credit card and van payment for $1,232. But our van payment is now current so we're current on all bills!

December 29: We'll be spending the day with the inlaws.

December 30: Budgeted spend on pizza, we got home from out of town at dinner time and I needed to buy groceries! We also got some snacks for the road but my dad had given us "coke money" for the trip (I had gone to the store for him and he told me to keep the change).

December 31: Ah groceries. I spent $150 almost even on food, herbs, meds and wipies. My DH will be going to the other store here in a bit to get our milk and produce. My unbudgeted spend was a pair of sweat pants on sale for the little one who didn't have any (and it's cold enough he needs warm pants around the house). They were $4. I also got 3 packs of toss and go sippy cups for $6.

January 1: Well I was going to send DH to the post office but it's closed, so no spend!

January 2: Found out that when my dentist talked me into a "deep clean" it turned me into a periodontal patient and my insurance doesn't cover all periodontal cleanings so I have to go every 3 months to be tortured and can't stop being a periodontal patient until I "get better". Sigh. $30 copay for that today. $9 for stamps. $22 for paper kitchen items (plates/bowls/etc) and tissues because I'm trying to get over the flu and can't keep up with the house. Sigh.

January 3: I'm still getting over the flu and now DH has gastroenteritis (Lord help us) so another day inside until we have speech therapy at 1:30. We only have $50 left and I'm not touching it! Next pay period will be more challenging because I'll have more $$ available which makes it harder not to spend it! For my frugal thing done at home I made a quadruple batch of steel cut oats for breakfast and divided it into qt sized jars for quick breakfasts later this week. :)

January 4: Alright..*shame* I'll put the worst things first: Movie for the boys $10, donuts for breakfast $7 and workbooks from targets dollar section because we haven't been able to afford our home school curriculum yet $4. I also got floss (the string kind since the stick kind I've been using apparently don't work well) $3 and instant potatoes $4. Now to go hide in shame.

January 5: My oldest is autistic and tends to obsess over things. Lately it's been Christmas lights. Tonight is the last night that we have a local light display, it's 5.5 miles of lights. We have been at least 5 times since Thanksgiving. So I took the boys tonight and I don't feel bad. :) $10 So usually we eat oatmeal 3-4 times a week and sweeten it with maple syrup. Well real maple syrup is expensive, so today I cooked 3/4 c frozen berries with 1/4 c water and 2 T maple syrup. Blended it all together and voila, healthier "pink" oatmeal even yummier and cheaper.

January 7: Today is my birthday and I'm feeling kind of down so I've decided that I want to go to starbucks later and get a tall drink and wander Target by myself for some peace. :) And my mom just told me she wants to send me an "e-gift card" so I don't have to buy it myself so yay! A no spend day! The e-giftcard thing is cool, you can email someone a giftcard and they just print it off and use it like a regular gift card!

January 8: Not much to tell!

January 9: Staying home today, it's cold and rainy. I think I'll make a big batch of breakfast food later.

January 10: Got some birthday money and got a couple things for myself and the boys but since it's not budgeted I'm not counting it. We also got enough for a year membership to the childrens museum so I'll be buying that on Monday!

January 11: Doing these next few days in advance, we'll be staying home except for church on Sunday and nothing to buy there!

January 12: A friend gave me her extra bountiful basket! I'm trying to keep my kids out of it so I can make strawberry/carrot muffins for snack. :)

January 13:

January 14: PAYDAY We are so spending money but it'll be budgeted..$465 on bills (cell/internet, insurance, adt), $250 on the gas card, $23 to the army for an overpay, $30 on haircuts for the kids, $45 on diapers, $55 on cloth pull ups, $80 for a years worth of laundry soap, $20 for school stuff,$70 savings for Christmas, $185 in our savings jar and $21 in the kids savings jar. Phew. I also have to go grocery shopping but I'll do that later this week. Speaking of which, I've increased our food budget so we can buy some meat in bulk.

January 15: I'm gonna take a spend day today. I have to get a new tea kettle. We drink hot beverages a lot. I drink hot lemon water in the mornings and hot chocolate at night (I get munchies and hot chocolate is so much cheaper than buying snack food!), DH makes instant coffee probably daily. I've been using a small pan but it's always dirty from cooking and I may sound lazy but when I want hot water I just want hot water, lol. I will go and just get that and also get our gas money on a gift card. I'm also irritated because I accidentally put twice the amount I was supposed to in our Xmas fund and it's ING so I can't transfer half of it back out until the 22nd. We're supposed to be going to the childrens museum in Austin but I don't know if the money will be there yet now thanks to my irresponsibility. Sigh. **Add to this DH just told me I had to order him a new birth certificate or he can lose his security clearance so that's $30. Dang it.* So now I'm not paying a couple things until that one payment to ING comes back in a week. Gah.

January 16: No more spending until I can fix the ING money issue, not even budgeted! Although I just remembered that I took out $100 to get the van fixed (we already bought the part) so I may just put that back in the bank until the other issue gets fixed then take the van in. The van can certainly wait, it's not emergent. .

January 17: About $5 for onions, garlic and ziplock bags for meat mixes.

January 18: I was craving PB Captain crunch for dinner. I know, I know, horrible. $11 for cereal. Tomorrow I pledge to have a no spend day.

January 19: $10. No excuses, we had coupons for kids meals and my son asked for a hamburger for dinner so I dug them out. The $10 was for DH and I.

January 20: $12 for food and $50 for redbox..wth? I guess that explains why I found 3 redbox movies in DHs truck that he was supposed to take back and apparently never did. Ugh. Good thing we weren't overdrafted but that was so not in the budget. I'm pretty irate with him and with myself for being lazy about food lately. I'm struggling because I'm 7 months pregnant and late pregnancy fatigue has hit me HARD. I vow not to buy food again until payday, we won't starve I'll just have to ration the fruit for the boys. But I got the chicken mix in the freezer and 30 cups of broth.

January 21: Made some meat mix.g

January 22: $8for groceries..eggs, cheese, etc. Finished the last of the meat mix and got it in the freezer!

January 23: Made a big batch of steel cut oats!

January 24:

January 25:

January 26:

January 27:

January 28:

January 29:

January 30:

Single, student mama To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. to 3 boys To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. and loving every minute of it.

Any time scientists disagree, it's because we have insufficient data. Then we can agree on what kind of data to get; we get the data; and the data solves the problem. Either I'm right, or you're right, or we're both wrong. And we move on. That kind of conflict resolution does not exist in politics or religion.

I use a diva cup. I boil it to disinfect it. I forgot about it while it was on the stove.

Learn from my mistake: diva cups do catch on fire and they are made of rubber. It was not pretty.

So that was totally an unneccessary expense. I have to buy another one.

I've done that before, but it's never caught on fire!!!! I had no idea that could happen! What a frightening way to find out. I'm sorry for the unnecessary expense :-(

Melissa, a homeschooling, To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.-guzzling, SAHM of two: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. and To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Well, I guess I need to be even more commited to pinching those pennies. I just found out today that I may or may not be losing one of my part time jobs

1/27

Spent $1.75 on a cup of coffee so I could work from the bagel shop instead of home (I noticed that they offer $1 coffee if you bring in any travel mug so next time I will do that). Also, DH took me out for lunch (first "date" we've had in months). It was around $35 but I think we should have a date at least once a month! We also picked up a few things at the grocery store on the way home--about $22.

frugal act--I am making broccoli cheese soup for dinner using the stalks of the broccoli that no one wants to eat (and we grew the broccoli ourselves). I didn't have to buy a Sunday paper because someone gave me theirs at the bagel shop and it had 3 coupon inserts instead of 1. Yay. I am hoping to bake some muffins tonight for the kids lunches.